Baltimore Orioles trade Alex Cobb to LAA, acquire Jahmai Jones

Former Orioles pitcher Alex Cobb has a new home with the LA Angels

The Los Angeles Angels acquired Alex Cobb from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. Besides the recent pickup of Freddy Galvis, this is the second major move that the O’s have made within the past couple of weeks.

The O’s are looking to continue to find the key players to help them capture some W’s in 2021. With the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Orioles showed signs of progress to being contenders in the tough AL East for years to come.

According to ESPN’s staff writer Alden Gonzalez, Cobb had a 4.23 ERA in 331 2/3 innings during the 2017 and 2018 season and was named the O’s Opening Day starter for the 2019 season. He unfortunately only started 3 games and underwent hip surgery in 2019.

The 2020 season was unique for every player as the season had a bunch of curveballs thrown in there with games being postponed and with having no fans in attendance until the postseason. For Cobb, he had a 4.30 ERA, 38 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 52 1/3 innings. The O’s recently had a tough stretch where they struggled with finding the right pitching staff and also had some pitchers come and go.

The acquisition of 2B Jahmai Jones will help the Orioles with their infield. Jones barely played much in 2020 with only seven at-bats and three hits.

According to Baseball Reference, for the 2021 season, Jones is projected to have 209 plate appearances, 186 at-bats, 47 hits (.253 batting average), seven home runs, and 26 RBI.

Looking at his projections, Jones might have an immediate impact with the Orioles as he joins an Orioles infield with Chris Davis, Freddy Galvis, Ryan Mountcastle, Richie Martin, and Rio Ruiz. The Opening Day infield lineup for the Orioles will be interesting to see as the Orioles have a rising star in Mountcastle and potentially Jones.